The Lexington Herald-Leader is reporting today that Kentucky wineries are gaining respect, with eight Kentucky wineries winning medals at the Annual Indy International Wine Competition in Indianapolis this past June, as well as gaining notice from national press, such as Time’s Joel Stein.

Acres of Land (Richmond), Lovers Leap (Lawrenceburg), Equus Run (Midway), Elk Creek (Owenton) and Chateau du Vieux Corbeau (Danville) were all mentioned in the article.

You can read the entire article here, http://www.kentucky.com/latest_news/story/915702.html

Jean Farris Winery in Lexington announced the release of their 2007 Syrah in their July newsletter.   Ben O’Daniel, owner states “After 19 months in the barrel and and repeated tastings, the wine is true to syrah style.”

From the Jean Farris July 2009 Newsletter:

“The Tempest has always been one of those wines. It was an original concept that just seemed to work in my mind and in the winery. The Viognier has always been a challenge, the needy child. Then we have the 2007 Syrah. This is not a large production for Jean Farris but it has been a learning experience.

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Wildside Winery just announced two upcoming events for the month of May:

May 9th – a free wine and cheese pairing featuring six of Wildside’s red wines with Kenny’s Kentucky Cheeses.  Runs from 2-6pm.

May 30th – BBQ and Bourbon Barrel Red, an event offering live music, barbeque and Wildside’s Bourbon Barrel Red wine.  Cost is $13 before April 30th, or $20 at the door.

Call Wildside at 859-321-5046 to RSVP.

Kentucky wineries earned 15 gold medals at the Kentucky Derby Festival wine competition March 24 in Louisville.

Eighteen Kentucky and Indiana wineries brought 145 varietals to the competition. A panel of 17 experts from the American Wine Society judged the competition.

Those winning gold were: Acres of Land (Richmond), Elk Creek (Owenton), Equus Run (Midway), River Bend (Louisville), Talon Winery (Lexington), and Wight-Meyer (Shepardsville).

Some of the winners will be featured at the fifth annual Kentucky Derby Festival WineFest April 28-29 at Kroger’s Fest-A-Ville on the Waterfront. Thirteen Kentucky and Indiana wineries will sample 99 varietals at the event.

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A new and unique fundraiser event to benefit McConnell Springs, the site where Lexington was named.

The 2nd Annual Barrel Tasting will take place Saturday, March 28, 2009, 11 a.m-5 p.m..

The event features 11 participating wineries. Those attending the event will travel in their own vehicle to each or as many of the sponsoring wineries as they wish for one free barrel tasting at that winery.

View a map of the participating wineries here. Read the rest of this entry »